#MMBBR #Review #FirstLine #TheGirlMadeOfClay by @nmeierwrites @LUAuthors via #partner #LakeUnionPublishing

The Girl Made of Clay by Nicole  Meier

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#FirstLine ~ If Sara had known what was waiting to greet her that morning, she would've stayed in bed.

Meier has done it again. She has written a book that has both moved me and made me think. She continues to write stories with characters that captive and enthrall. Each character lends themselves to the story and helps built upon the beautifully fleshed out plot. I love that the story is deep and multi-layered. I enjoyed it cover-to-cover and know the characters and story will stay with me for quite sometime. It is a story that is easy to relate to and oh so memorable. A hit and a must read!!!

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#MMBBR #Review #AbsolutelyEverything by @whatonearthbook via #partner @whatonearthbook who #provided a #free #reviewcopy

Absolutely Everything!: A History of Earth, Dinosaurs, Rulers, Robots and Other Things Too Numerous to Mention 

by Christopher Lloyd

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is ABSOLUTELY awesome. My son cannot stop reading it. He loves it. I am being 100 truthful when I say this book was instantly picked up and read by my son at every opportunity that he has had. I would even go as far as to say this is one of my son's favorite books to come to the house in a long time. He is 11 years old and is hungry for knowledge. This book really fills that need. It has so much interesting and fun information, which lead to us having a lot of fun conversations. He loves the attached bookmark and has been making his way through this book since it has arrived at the front door. He especially loves the there is a lot of information presented in a well organized way. He loved that he can read all the way through or focus on topics of interest. I love hear, "Did you know that...". It makes me happy that he is learning and having fun doing so! This book is perfect for your home library or for a gift to the classroom.

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#MMBBR #Review #ILostMyTooth by #mowillems #UnlimitedSquirrels #ILostMyTooth via #partner @disneyhyperion who #provided a #free #reviewcopy

Check out my photos over on INSTAGRAM:

I am #nuts about the #newseries by #mowillems #UnlimitedSquirrels You gotta check out the first #book in the #series - I Lost MY TOOTH - It is so super cute. Thanks to @disneybookswho provided a free #reviewcopy for my #blog 

I Lost My Tooth! by Mo Willems

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a sheer and utter delight. I loved it cover-to-cover. I think that Mo Willems is a genius and knows how to get to the heart of what children, and their parents, love. This book is so funny and original. I was smiling the whole way through. I love the illustrations and the way the enthusiasm and the emotions of the characters come through the drawings. This book (and series) is sure to become a hit and your families new favorite.

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#MMBBR #Review #FirstLine #TheLostOnes by @sheena_kamal via #partner @Morrow_PB who provided a #free #reviewcopy

The Lost Ones by Sheena Kamal

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

#FirstLine ~ The call comes in just after five in the morning.

First I must say that I loved Nora and her dog, Whisper! It was an emotional read, but one that also grabs you right away and holds on tight! This story was driven by time and place with characters that begged to be paid attention to. It was dark, but light, deep and moving! A great first in what hopefully will be a long series!

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#MMBBR #Review #FirstLine #IKnowYouKnow by @gillymacmillan via #partner @Morrow_PB who provided a #free #reviewcopy

I Know You Know by Gilly Macmillan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#FirstLine ~ The weather is raw.

This book was quite spectacular. I thought it was brilliantly plotted and paced, with a premise that was both engaging and original . The characters are all complex and the back stories are also quite intriguing. You never really know where the story is going to take you, which is fantastic! A fast paced, intense and emotionally charged read that is perfect for fall and book clubs! A must read!

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#MMBBR #Review #FirstLine #ALittleBirdToldMe ( #LittleBird ) by @MarianneHAuthor via #partner @AgoraBooksLDN who #provided a #free #reviewcopy

Released on 13^th September 2018

Besides, if you were one half evil, wouldn’t you want to know about the other half?

In the scorching summer of 1976, Robyn spends her days swimming at the Lido and tagging after her brother. It’s the perfect holiday – except for the crying women her mum keeps bringing home.

As the heatwave boils on, tensions in the town begin to simmer. Everyone is gossiping about her mum, a strange man is following her around, and worst of all, no one will tell Robyn the truth. But this town isn’t good at keeping secrets…

Twelve years later Robyn returns home, to a house that has stood empty for years and a town that hasn’t moved on, forced to confront the mystery that haunted her that summer.

And atone for the part she played in it.



Marianne Holmes was born in Cyprus to RAF parents but is now firmly based in London. After a sensible career in marketing, Marianne is now focusing on her love of language and writing. 

A Little Bird Told Me is her first novel.

A Little Bird Told Me by Marianne Holmes

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#FirstLine ~ Prologue: They say I'll never find her.

A book steeped in mystery, a coming of age story that will leave the reader satisfied. A story that has some twists and turns, with a sweet and tender side. It has a great plot, great characters and a setting that cannot be missed. A story you will long to talk about!

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#MMBBR #Review #FirstLine #TheBurnZone by @Renee_Linnell via #partner @shewritespress and @annasacca and who provided a #free #reviewcopy

The Burn Zone (October 9, 2018; https://reneelinnell.com) — a cult survivor’s story, filled with inspiration and encouragement for anyone struggling to find a sense of purpose, spiritual fulfillment, or the answers to their problems.   

How did an accomplished actress like Smallville star Allison Mack get sucked into a secret cult? Renee Linnell knows—from experience. Despite achieving success as a surf model and professional dancer and traveling to nearly fifty countries alone before she turned thirty-five, Renee continued searching for…something. 

In The Burn Zone, Renee shares the story of her quest for truth and peace, her nearly seven-year detour into hell at the hands of her spiritual teachers, and her ultimate awakening. 

With honesty and courage, Renee recounts how she got sucked into the University of Mysticism and gave away her cherished possessions, tens of thousands of dollars, and all of her power. Dominated and manipulated, Renee cut ties with loved ones (including her twin brother) and obediently followed command after command. Renee got entangled in a romantic and business mess—and wound up losing over $500,000. 

While lying on the floor sobbing, she finally admitted to herself: “I am in a cult.” Then, she began the hard work of healing, forgiveness, and rediscovering and accepting herself.

Written as a work of catharsis and cautionary tale, The Burn Zone speaks directly to anyone who feels alone, lost, or worthless. 

The Burn Zone: A Memoir by Renee Linnell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#FirstLine ~ All my life I had been searching.

This book is so good. I was simply fascinated the whole way through. I could not stop reading. I love memoirs that pull you in because they are gritty and raw. I know all of us have searched for the right path, searched for comfort and searched for belonging. Honest and real Linnell shares her story in order for all of us to learn from her missteps. We can all afford to embrace our imperfections, flaws and learn what self-love really means!

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About the Author:

Renee Linnell is a serial entrepreneur who has founded and cofounded five companies and has an Executive Masters in Business Administration from New York University. Currently she is working on starting a publishing company to give people from diverse walks of life an opportunity to tell their stories. She divides her time between Colorado and Southern California.   

#MMBBR #BoneSoup by @AlyssaCapucilli via #partner @simonschuster @pwisemanbooks ‏@barbfisch @blueslipper who provided a #free #reviewcopy

BONE SOUP: A Spooky, Tasty Tale

Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illus by Tom Knight

(July 24, 2018; Paula Wiseman Books/S&S; 

ages 4-8; 32 pages)

This is such fun twist on the beloved Stone Soup fable!

One Halloween morning three witches are looking for a tasty treat and they find only a small bone in their cupboard. So they decide to go from door to door in their village to find just the right ingredients for their Bone Soup. No one in the village is convinced that soup can be made from a bone, until the littlest monster reveals just what the special ingredient should be.

Bone Soup: A Spooky, Tasty Tale by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a new twist on a long told tale. I love that this book shows how you can make something from what seems to be nothing at the start. With the help of many friendly monsters they all pull their resources and make something very yummy. I love that it only take a little bit of each thing to make something fantastic for all to share. This story is perfect to teach cooperation, the beauty of working together, the power of giving small gifts and the delight of being a small part of something bigger. I just love this story. It is perfect for the upcoming Halloween holiday!

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A recipe for soup (a real soup with substitutions--e.g., "eye of a giant," is really an onion, "earthworms" are fusilli pasta, etc) is included at the end! Plus there's a darling activity kit here.

Alyssa Satin Capucilli is the award-winning creator and author of the Katy Duck series and the bestselling Biscuit series, which has sold over twenty-eight million copies. A professional dancer as well as a writer, she lives with her family in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. To learn more, and to download a free story hour kit for Bone Soup, visit her website: alyssacapucilli.com.

#MMBBR #Review #FirstLine and #Giveaway of #TheStormRunner by @ReadRiordan and @jencerv Thanks to #partner @DisneyHyperion and who provided a #free #reviewcopy and #prizing

THE STORM RUNNER

A Storm Runner Novel, Book 1

By J.C. Cervantes

Published by Rick Riordan Presents, 

an imprint of Disney Book Group

In Stores September 18, 2018

Recommended for ages 10-14

Website

Learn more about the book at ReadRiordan.com

Purchase Links

Share a link to the purchase-page of your choice!

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Books-A-Million

Indie Bound

  

About the Book

How can one boy with a limp stop the Maya god of death, disaster, and darkness from destroying the world?

Zane has always enjoyed exploring the dormant volcano near his home in New Mexico, even though hiking it is challenging. He'd much rather hang out there with his dog, Rosie, than go to middle school, where kids call him Sir Limps a Lot, McGimpster, or Uno – for his one good leg.

What Zane doesn't know is that the volcano is a gateway to another world and he is at the center of a powerful prophecy. A new girl at school, Brooks, informs him that he's destined to release an evil god from the ancient Maya relic he is imprisoned in--unless she can find and remove it first. Together they return to the volcano, where all kinds of crazy happens. Brooks turns into a hawk, a demon attacks them in a cave, and Rosie gives her all while trying to protect Zane. When Zane decides to save his dog no matter the cost, he is thrust into an adventure full of surprising discoveries, dangerous secrets, and an all-out war between the gods, one of whom happens to be his father.

To survive, Zane will have to become the Storm Runner. But how can he run when he can't even walk well without a cane?

The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#FirstLine ~ Zane Obispo has a pretty sweet life.

This book is jam packed with adventure,,,from cover to cover you will be sucked in. It was one of those books that you loved instantly. There were thrills, heroes, monsters (who are quire scary), twists and turns, with depth of story and perfect potting. This book left me and my boys wanting more! Beware you will do nothing else once you start this thrilling and magnificent book!

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About Rick Riordan Presents

The Rick Riordan Presents imprint is dedicated to providing entertaining middle grade fiction based on various world mythologies. Rick Riordan is involved in the selection, editing, and promotion of these books, working with great authors to tell exciting stories inspired by the mythologies of their own heritages. Learn more about the imprint and its current and upcoming titles on their official site.

About the Author

J. C. Cervantes is the author of Tortilla Sun, which was called "a beautiful and engaging debut" by Kirkus, an "imaginative, yet grounded novel" by Publishers Weekly, and "lean and lightly spiced with evocative metaphor" by School Library Journal. Tortilla Sun was a 2010 New Voices pick by the American Booksellers Association and it was named to Bank Street's 2011 Best Book List. When Jennifer isn't reading or writing, she helping her husband with his gubernatorial campaign

Giveaway Prizing

MYTHOLOGY 101: RICK RIORDAN PRESENTS

One (1) winner will receive a trio of introductory mythology tales from a variety of cultures, including:

• The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes;
• Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi;
• and The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan!

Giveaway open to US addresses only.

Prizing and samples provided by Disney Book Group.

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment with your email address (so I can email you if you win) about what mythical creature you wish were real! 

GOOD LUCK!!!!

#MMBBR #Review #FantasticFailures by #LukeReynolds via #partner #Aladdin #BeyondWords who provided a #free #reviewcopy

Fantastic Failures: True Stories of People Who Changed the World by Falling Down First by Luke Reynolds

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this book. I love everything about it. I have learned as I grow older that all my greatest lessons learned and virtues that I come to appreciate came only after I have failed or lost at something. This book is a gift for all as you get to see how 35 famous people succeeded only after great defeats, disappointments and suffering. It shows what great lengths some must go through to be successful and that failure is only a failure if you refuse to learn from it and get back up. Kids will love this book because it is real, practical, funny and worthwhile. It is told in a way kids can relate to it and really let the messages resonate with them. A true gift to give to our young.

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#MMBBR #Review #FirstLine #TheLostCarouselofProvence by @JulietBlackwell via #partner @BerkleyPub who provided a #free #reviewcopy

The Lost Carousel of Provence by Juliet Blackwell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

#FirstLine ~ No one has seen.

This book is beautiful and filled with family, love, loss, and so much more. This book is also seeped in history with elements of so many things woven together wonderfully. Is is atmospheric and moving. A book that will pull the reader in and hold them tight throughout.

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#MMBBR #BlogTour #Review #FirstLine #WhiteAsSilenceRedAsSong by @aledaveniavia #partner @ThomasNelson ‏and @TLCBookTours who provided a #free #reviewcopy

SYNOPSIS: “I was born on the first day of school, and I grew up and old in just two hundred days . . .”

Sixteen-year-old Leo has a way with words, but he doesn’t know it yet. He spends his time texting, polishing soccer maneuvers, and killing time with Niko and Silvia. Until a new teacher arrives and challenges him to give voice to his dreams.

And so Leo is inspired to win over the red-haired beauty, Beatrice. She doesn’t know Leo exists, but he’s convinced that his dream to win her over will come true. When Leo lands in the hospital and learns that Beatrice has been admitted too, his mission to be there for her will send him on a thrilling but heartbreaking journey. He wants to help her but doesn’t know how—and his dream of love will force him to grow up fast.

Having already sold over a million copies in Italy, Alessandro D’Avenia’s debut novel is considered the Italian The Fault in Our Stars. Now available in English for the first time, this rich, funny, and heartwarming coming-of-age tale asks us to explore the meaning—and the cost—of friendship, and shows us what happens when suffering bursts into the world of teenagers and renders the world of adults speechless.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

White as Silence, Red as Song by Alessandro D'Avenia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
#FirstLine ~ Everything is a color.

This book is about living your best life. It was an original and unusual read, but one that I enjoyed. It is a book that makes you think, wonder and focus on the gifts you have in this one life you live.

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Alessandro D’Avenia, born in 1977 in Palermo, holds a PhD in classics and is a high school literature teacher and screenwriter.

D'Avenia nasce il 2 maggio 1977 da Rita e Giuseppe D'Avenia, terzo di sei figli. Dal 1990 frequenta il liceo classico Vittorio Emanuele II di Palermo, dove incontra padre Pino Puglisi che insegnava religione nello stesso istituto e dalla cui figura viene fortemente influenzato, così come da quella dell'insegnante di lettere.
Nel 1995 si trasferisce a Roma per frequentare all'Università La Sapienza la facoltà di lettere classiche. Nel 2000 si laurea in lettere classiche. Nel 2004 consegue il dottorato di ricerca in letteratura greca con specializzazione in Antropologia del mondo antico, terminandolo con una tesi sulle "sirene" in Omero e il loro rapporto con le Muse nel mondo antico. Mentre è impegnato col dottorato, insegna per tre anni nelle scuole medie. Finito il dottorato, preferisce l’insegnamento alla ricerca e frequenta la scuola di specializzazione per l’insegnamento secondario, al termine della quale insegna greco e latino al liceo. Fonda una compagnia teatrale dilettante e gira un cortometraggio.
La sua attività di scrittore inizia contemporaneamente a quella di insegnante. Il successo arriva per D'Avenia con il romanzo Bianca come il latte, rossa come il sangue, che diventa presto un best-seller e viene pubblicato in 20 paesi stranieri. Il successo del romanzo d'esordio viene parzialmente confermato dal secondo titolo di D'Avenia, Cose che nessuno sa.
Collabora come pubblicista con alcuni quotidiani italiani (Avvenire, La Stampa).
Come sceneggiatore, nel 2008 ha firmato alcuni episodi della terza serie di "Life Bites - Pillole di vita" presso Disney Italia. Nel 2011-2012 lavora alla sceneggiatura del film tratto da Bianca come il latte, rossa come il sangue, prodotto da Rai Cinema, che esce nelle sale cinematografiche nel mese di aprile 2013. 

Review Tour:

Tuesday, September 4th: ReadWonder

Wednesday, September 5th: Here’s to Happy Endings

Thursday, September 6th: Rockin’ Book Reviews

Friday, September 7th: Cheryl’s Book Nook

Monday, September 10th: Moonlight Rendezvous and @moonlight_rendezvous

Tuesday, September 11th: Running Through the Storms

Wednesday, September 12th: Storied Adventures and @storied.adventures

Thursday, September 13th: Mrs. Mommy Booknerd

Friday, September 14th: Sweet Southern Home

Monday, September 17th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Monday, September 17th: @booknerdnative

Tuesday, September 18th: Bookworm for Kids

Wednesday, September 19th: @girlsinbooks

Friday, September 21st: @hollyslittlebookreviews

Monday, September 24th: Books & Bindings

Monday, September 24th: @bookenetics

Tuesday, September 25th: @trissinalovesbooks

Wednesday, September 26th: @abookishpeach

Thursday, September 27th: What is That Book About

Friday, September 28th: @read.write.coffee

#MMBBR #BlogTour #Review #FirstLine #TheBoyAtTheKeyhole by @StephenGiles via #partner @Hanover_Square ‏and @TLCBookTours who provided a #free #reviewcopy

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

SYNOPSIS: Nine-year-old Samuel lives alone in a once-great estate in Surrey with the family’s housekeeper, Ruth. His father is dead and his mother has been abroad for months, purportedly tending to her late husband’s faltering business. She left in a hurry one night while Samuel was sleeping and did not say goodbye.

Beyond her sporadic postcards, Samuel hears nothing from his mother. He misses her dearly and maps her journey in an atlas he finds in her study. Samuel’s life is otherwise regulated by Ruth, who runs the house with an iron fist. Only she and Samuel know how brutally she enforces order.

As rumors in town begin to swirl, Samuel wonders whether something more sinister is afoot. Perhaps his mother did not leave but was murdered—by Ruth.

Artful, haunting and hurtling toward a psychological showdown, The Boy at the Keyhole is an incandescent debut about the precarious dance between truth and perception, and the shocking acts that occur behind closed doors.

The Boy at the Keyhole by Stephen Giles

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

#FirstLine ~ The morning light was disappointing, spilling faintly across the stone floor and making very little of the shattered bowl or its contents.

This is a heavy book with heavy themes, but one that does not disappoint. With a setting that is interesting and characters worth reading, The Boy in the Keyhole is an emotional story with depth. You will be able to read it quickly, but it won;t soon be forgotten.

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About Stephen Giles
Stephen Giles is the Australian author behind the lauded children's series "Anyone But Ivy Pocket", penned under the pseudonym Caleb Krisp. The series, published in the US by HarperCollins/Greenwillow and the UK by Bloomsbury, appeared on the New York Times Best Seller List, has been translated into 25 different languages and was optioned by Paramount Pictures.
Prior to selling his first book, Stephen worked in a variety of jobs to supplement his writing including market research, film classification and media monitoring. "The Boy at the Keyhole" is Giles' first work for adults and the film rights for this book have been acquired by New Regency.

Instagram Tour:

Monday, September 3rd: @bookpairings

Tuesday, September 4th: @hotcocoareads

Wednesday, September 5th: @worldswithinpages

Thursday, September 6th: @novelmombooks

Thursday, September 6th: @dropandgivemenerdy

Friday, September 7th: @biblio-files

Saturday, September 8th: @booksbeforebedtime

Sunday, September 9th: @jennblogsbooks “Sock Sunday”

 Review Tour:

Tuesday, September 4th: The Book Diva’s Reads

Wednesday, September 5th: Mama Reads Blog

Thursday, September 6th: Bookchickdi

Friday, September 7th: Cheryl’s Book Nook

Monday, September 10th: Literary Quicksand

Monday, September 10th: Books Before Bedtime

Tuesday, September 11th: No More Grumpy Bookseller

Wednesday, September 12th: Bewitched Bookworms

Thursday, September 13th: Mrs. Mommy Booknerd

Thursday, September 13th: Rockin’ Book Reviews

Friday, September 14th: Thoughts from a Highly Caffeinated Mind

Monday, September 17th: Girl Who Reads

Tuesday, September 18th: Buried Under Books

Wednesday, September 19th: From the TBR Pile

Thursday, September 20th: @wherethereadergrows

Friday, September 21st: A Bookworm’s World

Monday, September 24th: ReadWonder

Tuesday, September 25th: Kritter’s Ramblings

Tuesday, September 25th: @booksncatsncoffee

Tuesday, September 25th: Books and Cats and Coffee

Wednesday, September 26th: Sweet Southern Home

Wednesday, September 26th: @lesa_cap

Thursday, September 27th: Books & Bindings

Friday, September 28th: What is That Book About